Saquon Barkley using criticism to motivate himself
Saquon Barkley of the Giants carries the ball during warmups of a preseason game against the Bengals at MetLife Stadium on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: Getty Images/Sarah Stier
Saquon Barkley has been all smiles around the Giants this preseason but that disposition has increasingly leaned more toward a snarl whenever he interacts with the outside world. The latest example of edgy attitude from the running back came on a recently-aired podcast (albeit one that was recorded about a month ago before training camp had even started) in which he expressed his fiery desire to outperform his past accomplishments and silence his critics.
"Last year was more like, ‘Dang, the game was taken away from me,” he said on the “2nd Wind” podcast. “I never had a season where I didn’t go and play football. Now, it’s a kill mindset. Now it’s like, you know what? [Expletive] everybody. I’m ready to go crazy and I’m going to let the world feel me."
Last week in a media availability Barkley fired back at those who have critiqued him over the years about his propensity to “dance” in the backfield rather than hit the holes straight on, and during the offseason Barkley challenged his doubters to “stay on that side of the table” when he comes back at full strength.
It’s as if this season is being staged for Barkley vs. The Universe. It certainly seems as if that’s a matchup Barkley intends on winning.
Giants coach Brian Daboll, who is only just learning how competitive Barkley can be, said he doesn’t mind if a player uses snubs and slights — perceived or otherwise — to get himself hyped up.
“I think you try to learn your players the best you can to motivate them,” Daboll said. “Sometimes players can motivate themselves in certain, different ways. I think that’s good. Each player is different. What motivates you might be different than what motivates me. So, I kind of let those guys be themselves and if something’s on their mind, and that’s motivating them, great.”
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
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